Families fill the gymnasium at Washington Elementary in Hamilton, Montana. At one popular booth, children string colorful beads, as a volunteer models bead sorting by shape and color to help children learn about categorization. At another table, families construct a simple game that emphasizes letter sounds.

Literacy activities for families. This event, Ready Set Go, is for children entering kindergarten in the fall and their families. Montana Literacy Corps members, in partnership with Head Start staff, have organized several Make It Take It stations, where children and parents make a variety of alphabet, phonics, and sorting games to play together during the summer. The principal and kindergarten teachers are also present to lead a tour of the elementary school and answer questions.

Responsiveness to families. During the tour, the parent of an English language learner approaches Susanne Meikle, an AmeriCorps member, to share her concerns about the fall. Her child can understand English, but isn't willing to speak the language. How will she ever be able to get along in the class? Susanne finds the right teacher and introduces her to the worried parent. A lively conversation ensues, in which the teacher and parent agree to collaborate on a good summer program to stimulate the child's spoken English.

Ongoing, integrated services. Montana Literacy Corps, an AmeriCorps program, places 20 members in 19 schools and one community-based organization as part of a broad-based program focused entirely on family literacy. In addition to events like this one, they operate Family Resource Centers, organize family fun and science nights, conduct parent-child learning activities, publish a monthly newsletter and calendar, and distribute books.